Malaysia is expanding its two key cash handout schemes by RM1 billion for next year as the government boosts the overall outlay for social assistance programmes.

Budget 2027 raises allocations for cash handout programme by RM1b

The government is raising its back-to-school assistance by RM50 to RM200 per pupil from RM150, alongside measures to ease student loan repayments and living expenses for those pursuing higher education.

Budget 2027: Early schooling aid raised to RM200, PTPTN repayment relief for 400,000 borrowers

The government will table an E-Commerce Bill to regulate foreign e-commerce platforms operating in Malaysia.

Budget 2027: Govt to table E-Commerce Bill to regulate cross-border online trade 

Malaysia is expected to spend 82% of its forecasted record RM459.84 billion budget on operating expenditure (opex) in 2027, leaving RM83 billion, or 18%, for development expenditure (devex).

Budget 2027 expected to hit record RM459.84b, 82% for operating expenditure

The federal government is again trimming its development expenditure (devex) allocation for the education and training subsector, even as more resources are being set aside to accommodate the two-cohort Year One intake system.

Govt to cut development spending for education, training again

The federal government's allocation for grants to statutory bodies is expected to increase by 13.7% to RM17.09 billion in 2027, compared with RM15.04 billion in 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Grants to statutory bodies to rise 14% to RM17.1 bil in 2027

The federal government is on track to transition to a defined contribution mechanism to manage its growing pension liabilities, as retirement charges are projected to rise to RM44.6 billion in 2027 from RM42.8 billion in 2026, according to the latest Fiscal Outlook and Federal Government Revenue Estimates report.

Govt says it is on track for pension reform as retirement charges expected to swell to RM44.6 bil in 2027

The federal government has made provisions for the 16th General Election (GE16) under Budget 2027, amid growing speculation that polls could be called well before the current administration's term concludes at the end of 2027.

Provisions for GE16 included in Budget 2027

The government expects its subsidies and social assistance bill to fall to RM72.73 billion in 2027, down from RM74.47 billion in 2026. However, the allocation remains well above the RM55.27 billion recorded in 2025.

Subsidy bill to ease in 2027, but remain elevated

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 7): FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI extended its downward trend on Wednesday, falling to an 11-month low as persistent foreign selling and cautious sentiment amid elevated oil prices continued to weigh on the local market.

FBM KLCI slides to nearly a year low as foreign selling, high oil prices weigh on sentiment

Malaysian businesses are growing faster than most finance teams can effectively track.

The cost of growth: Why businesses are losing visibility of their own spending

Budget 2027: What does it mean for my wallet?

Budget 2027: What changes for my business?

US consumer sentiment slumped further in early October as the rising cost of living because of the Middle East conflict soured households' views of the economy, more bad news for President Donald Trump ahead of the Nov 3 midterm elections.

US consumer sentiment near record low as frustration over economy mounts

Tax experts said measures proposed under Budget 2027 provide targeted relief to the middle-income segment and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) but may increase the tax load on individuals earning above RM1 million.

Tax experts see targeted relief for middle-income taxpayers in Budget 2027

Malaysia’s government-linked investment companies see a boost to Bumiputera wealth, better workers’ livelihoods and capital mobilisation from Budget 2027.

Govt investment companies expect wealth creation from Budget 2027

After four years of asking Malaysians to endure subsidy rationalisation and other painful reforms, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is now loosening the government’s purse strings as his administration nears the end of the term.

After years of fiscal consolidation, Anwar loosens purse strings with Budget 2027

Budget 2027: The big picture

A brief recap of some business news and corporate annoucements that made the headlines on Friday.

Genting, IOI Properties, PMB Technology, Press Metal, Unisem, EP Manufacturing, Astral Asia, Avangaad, Kinergy, Hektar REIT, and Ahmad Zaki

Economists and research analysts have broadly welcomed Budget 2027’s tax relief, cost-of-living support and fiscal consolidation, but cautioned that delivery, subsidy reform and the risk of fiscal slippage will determine whether its targets are met.

Economists welcome tax relief and consolidation, but flag slippage and execution risks

Semantan Estate (1952) Sdn Bhd and its liquidator have filed another suit seeking to compel the government to sell the 263.272-acre prime "Duta enclave" land in Kuala Lumpur and hand over the proceeds to the company, subject to deductions for any compensation received through separate ongoing legal proceedings.

Semantan Estate and liquidator files another suit to compel govt to sell Duta enclave land, hand over proceeds

SELANGOR (Oct 10): Gamuda Land, the property arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL:GAMUDA) and Thailand-based Dusit International officially opened its latest 280-room ASAI Gamuda Cove hotel, located in Persiaran Cove Sentral Bandar Gamuda Cove in Selangor on Oct 10.&nbsp;

Gamuda Land, Dusit International officially open 280-room ASAI Gamuda Cove

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): Two industry groups have expressed disappointment that Budget 2027 has fallen short of providing sufficient relief from rising business costs, warning that mounting operating expenses continue to squeeze profit margins and undermine the competitiveness of Malaysian businesses.

Industry groups say Budget 2027 falls short of addressing rising business costs

(Oct 10):&nbsp;European carmaking leaders are heading to next week’s Paris Motor Show after winning some breathing room from Chinese competitors.

Europe’s troubled carmakers get China boost on way to Paris show

China’s passenger vehicle retail sales fell 24% in September from a year earlier to 1.702 million units, while new-energy vehicle sales declined 12% to 1.141 million units, according to data released by the China Passenger Car Association.

China passenger vehicle retail sales drop 24% in September

Malaysia must build its capability in quantum technology starting now, particularly in talent development, research and development (R&amp;D) and infrastructure, to ensure the country is ready to leverage this strategic technology in the future, says Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang.

Malaysia must build quantum tech capability now — Chang

The Johor government has decided to extend the closure of all schools and educational institutions in the state for five days, from Oct 12 to 16, due to the haze.

Johor extends closure of schools, educational institutions due to haze until Oct 16

he provision of better infrastructure facilities is expected to enhance Negeri Sembilan’s attractiveness as an investment destination, in line with the ongoing development of Malaysia Vision Valley 2.0 (MVV 2.0).

Budget 2027: Better infrastructure boosts Negeri Sembilan's investment, improve access — MB

The man injured after being shot by police during an incident in Petaling Jaya that went viral on Friday has 10 previous records, with drugs and a toy gun resembling a pistol were also found.&nbsp;

Police say suspect in viral PJ shooting incident has drug, criminal records

Typically called into action when poor countries get mired in debt, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be confronted this week with mounting signs of trouble in the wealthiest ones.

Rich countries are now on front lines as world’s risk map shifts

Until recently, if you took a train from Munich towards the eastern border with Austria, the chances of avoiding a collision with another locomotive relied in part on a signal station installed in 1899 when Kaiser Wilhelm II still ruled Germany.

Germany's century-old signals holding back advance of AI trains 

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The Small and Medium Enterprises Association of Malaysia (Samenta) has hailed Budget 2027 as an “SME Budget”, citing measures to ease cash flow pressures and lower operating costs for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Samenta hails Budget 2027 as ‘SME Budget’

(Oct 10):&nbsp;Egyptian inflation slowed for a second straight month to its lowest level since February, riding out renewed price pressures amid an escalation in the Iran war.

Egypt inflation slows again despite Iran war price pressures

Germany said on Saturday it would maintain sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine following US President Donald Trump's announcement that his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel.

Germany sticks to Russian sanctions despite after Trump announcement on diesel

Penang is ready to work with the federal government to establish the National Integrated Care Centres of Excellence (Nice) in the state as part of efforts to prepare for an ageing population.

Penang ready to host Nice, prepare for ageing society — Chow

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has established a special team to review and re-examine corruption allegations amounting to RM350,000 involving one of its senior officers.

Special team set up to review and re-examine corruption allegations involving a senior officer — MACC

The public should prioritise their mental health and not hesitate to seek help when experiencing stress or feeling overburdened by the demands of daily life, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.

Prioritise mental health, seek help when feeling stressed, advises Fahmi

BEIJING (Oct 10): China and the European Union can avoid "escalation" in various contentious disputes, Beijing said on Saturday, as worries of a damaging trade war simmer.

China says can avoid 'escalation' after EU trade talks

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 10): The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has outlined five key focus areas to ensure the RM22.11 billion allocated under Budget 2027 is managed transparently, prudently and effectively.

Budget 2027: Mindef sets five key areas for transparent management of RM22.11 bil

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday stressed that Budget 2027 is a covenant between the country and its leadership and the people, which must be implemented with full trust and integrity.

Jazlin Zakri

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Jazlin Zakri

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